In just under a week from today, Katya Valera jewelry gets to take part in a very special event.
The
Roanoke Strollathon for Rett Syndrome Research is to be held Saturday, September 14 in Roanoke, Virginia.
This yearly event is dedicated to raising funds toward cutting-edge research with the goal being a cure for this devastating neurodevelopmental disorder.
Children with Rett Syndrome typically begin developing normally after birth and then development regresses, often a few months into life and affecting girls much more often than boys. Here is a description of the syndrome that I've found extra helpful and easy to understand, written by the mother of a child with Rett Syndrome;
please take a second to read it
here.
These children, or Rett Angels, as they are often lovingly called, are in essence trapped in their own bodies, with their words and feelings unable to be expressed in the ways of other children their age, as they often cannot talk, walk, feed themselves, or control their movements. Yet these Angels have their own way of communicating, particularly with their eyes, and capture the hearts of everyone they come in contact with, a phenomenon anyone who knows one of these Angels can attest to.
My beautiful cousin Isabella was diagnosed about 10 years ago, and she is the giver of so much joy in our family. We are all so thankful for the Angel we have been blessed with.
Every cent donated to Rett Syndrome research brings these children closer to help, and a cure. If you have even a couple of dollars you would like to contribute to this cause, you can donate
here, or on my aunt's page
here. :)
Another exciting way you can contribute is by bidding in person at the silent auction at the Strollathon, where you'll have tons of awesome items to choose from, including these one-of-a-kind items by Katya Valera!
These long cluster earrings are composed of
various purple beads with silver accents dangling from gunmetal
kidney hooks:
And assorted beads in Virginia Tech shades make up this clustered bib necklace on double strands of silver tone chain:
I'm so thankful to be supporting Rett Syndrome research with my jewelry!
Please share this info with friends, and thank you so much in advance
for any help you can offer!
